AFTER a frosty night, the weather forecast was favourable for William and his band of 11 walkers from Penarth and District Ramblers who joined him at the start of his annual 11-mile walk to the Blue Anchor for lunch at the halfway point of the walk.
They soon warmed up with a climb from Cold Knap car terrace up onto the clifftop above the beautiful pebble beach as they followed the Wales Coast Path through woodland and down the steep Golden Stairs into Porthkerry Country Park. Porthkerry derives from the Port of Ceri, an early Welsh Prince who berthed his massive fleet of ships for shelter at the bay.
From Porthkerry Bay they climbed a muddy path steeply uphill and passed through the remains of the Bulwarks. Hilltop forts were used for defence purposes as well as being a symbol of power and bounded by the sea and tall cliffs on its southern side, and steep sided hills on the east and north, its west side was protected with ditches which are still visible in the trees.
The path through Porthkerry Leisure Park led them back out onto the open clifftop and onward to the southernmost tip of mainland Wales, where the surrounding area is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Importance for Nature Conservation, because of its lakes, limestone and clay cliffs, grassland and reed beds. This modern peaceful haven replaces the industrial site that stood there from 1914 with a cement, limeworks and kiln, with an asbestos and cement plant added later.
From the old limestone Rhoose quarries they moved along the cliff to Fontygary Bay and paused for some refreshment before moving on through Fontygary Leisure Park to overlook the salt flats and lagoons. They descended the cliff steps and made their way along the newly surfaced public footpath to the rear of the old Limeworks that opened in 1888 to climb Well Road to the Blue Anchor Inn.
Their muddy boots, outer clothing and rucksacks were swiftly discarded and as usual, a warm welcome was received at the pub and they enjoyed a splendid luncheon and some liquid refreshment in warm and comfortable surroundings before heading back out onto Port Road. They passed through the hamlet of Nurston before heading back into Rhoose village by means of an old by-way and wandering southwards back to the coast, they crossed fields before making towards Porthkerry village and a visit to St Curig’s Church.
It was downhill back into Porthkerry Park and below the 110 foot high stone built viaduct, which is a wonderful feat of engineering. Because production and the need for coal was rising towards the latter part of the 19th Century, the race was on to find a new port as Cardiff Docks was not coping. Barry seemed the best location but was bitterly opposed by the Marquis of Bute. A bill was passed by Parliament and the new docks were begun with the viaduct installed and opened in 1897 to carry coal from the Ogmore and Garw valleys to the new port.
They climbed back up the Golden Stairs and retraced their steps back along the coastline and returned to their start point just as the light was beginning to dim.
Joy Strangward
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